Systems and methods for modulating autonomic function

• US 7,195,013 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2004
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Lurie, Keith G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell; Teena
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIXON, ANNETTE FREDRICKA
• Application Number:
  US10/765,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20040200474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/202.25, 128/202.29, 128/203.11, 128/202.28, 128/205.24, 128/205.25, 128/206.12, 128/206.15, 128/206.18, 128/206.21, 128/206.28, 128/207.12, 128/207.13, 128/207.16, 137/102, 137/846, 137/908
• US Class Current: 128/203.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/00 Artificial respiration or heart stimulation, e.g. heart massage artificial respiration by treatment with gas or air, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration A61M16/00; applying electric currents by contact electrodes for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers A61N1/36 ; teaching or training models, demonstration models for medical purposes G09B23/288
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0009 with sub-atmospheric pressure, e.g. during expiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0084 self-reinflatable by elasticity, e.g. resuscitation squeeze bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/208 pH-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 : Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 : partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 : Temperature

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for modulating a person'"'"'s autonomic function comprises interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event. The person is permitted to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to transiently decrease intrathoracic pressure and thereby modulate the person'"'"'s autonomic function.

Claims

1. A method for modulating a person'"'"'s autonomic function, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to transiently decrease intrathoracic pressure and thereby modulate the person'"'"'s autonomic functions;

wherein the valve system includes a pressure responsive inflow valve, and further comprising setting an actuating pressure of the valve to be in the range from about −

2 cm H2O to about −

30 cm H2O.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising coupling at least one physiological sensor to the patient to monitor at least one physiological parameter of the person while breathing through the valve system, and varying the actuating pressure based on the monitored physiological parameter.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising setting the actuating pressure of the valve to be in the range from about −

3 cm H2O to about −

12 cm H2O for flow rates between about 30 to about 50 liters per minute.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to decrease the person'"'"'s heart rate and peripheral vascular tone.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby enhancing vital organ perfusion and function.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to increase heart rate variability.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the valve system is incorporated into a facial mask or a mouthpiece, and further comprising coupling the facial mask or the mouthpiece to the person'"'"'s face.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to reduce the person'"'"'s anxiety level.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to treat shock secondary to hypovolemia, sepsis and heart failure.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to treat states of hypo-perfusion that are selected from a group consisting of wound healing, stroke and diseases where blood flow is compromised, wherein at least one of the diseases comprises coronary artery disease.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to improve blood flow to the muscles and brain, thereby reducing heart rate and enhancing recovery from physical exertion.

12. A method for assisting a person in recovering from physical exertion, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to improve blood flow to the muscles and brain, and to reduce the person'"'"'s heart rates;

wherein the valve system includes a pressure responsive inflow valve, and further comprising setting an actuating pressure of the valve to be in the range from about −

2 cm H2O to about −

30 cm H2O.

13. A method for treating a person, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to treat hypotension, shock secondary to hypovolemia, sepsis and heart failures;

wherein the valve system includes a pressure responsive inflow valve, and further comprising setting an actuating pressure of the valve to be in the range from about −

2 cm H2O to about −

30 cm H2O.

14. A method for modulating a person'"'"'s autonomic function, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to transiently decrease intrathoracic pressure and thereby modulate the person'"'"'s autonomic function;

wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to decrease sympathetic tones;

wherein the valve system includes a pressure responsive inflow valve, and further comprising setting an actuating pressure of the valve to be in the range from about −

2 cm H2O to about −

30 cm H2O.

15. A method for modulating a person'"'"'s autonomic function, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to the person'"'"'s airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event;

permitting the person to inhale and exhale through the valve system, wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to transiently decrease intrathoracic pressure and thereby modulate the person'"'"'s autonomic function;

wherein during inhalation the valve system functions to treat sleep disorders, wherein at least one of the sleep disorders comprises apnea;

wherein the valve system includes a pressure responsive inflow valve, and further comprising setting an actuating pressure of the valve to be in the range from about −

2 cm H2O to about −

30 cm H2O.